Tom  Aherne

Welcome to our weekly look at events, making the news around the Carrigkerry District on this dry and dull Sunday evening. It was a nice week on the weather front with dry and frosty days and some lovely sunshine. There are good signs of life around the place as the growing season approaches. We welcome the early flowers, snowdrops, crocus, primroses, daffodils.

The hard frost in Winter has left some damaged hedges which will need attention if they are to regain their former glory. I see signs in the local papers for allotments for rent as people are turning their thoughts to gardening for their own use. This is to be welcomed and people should be encouraged to grow their own, and to make use of the resources we have.

The following are the lottery results from Peadar’s Bar, Ardagh, on February 28th.

The numbers drawn were 15,20,23,28. and there was no Jackpot winner.

Congratulations to the lucky dip winners, as follows: €60 Pauline Ahern, Ardagh,

John Fitzgerald  c/o The Thatch,

Jack Bennett, Reens Ardagh, €30 William, Adam, Joseph Steele, Jackie Meehan c/o Kiely’s, Tom, Noel, Patsy, Moira c/o Cards.

Next week’s draw takes place at Foley’s Bar, Reens, Ardagh, and the Jackpot will be € 5,200.

Congratulations to Mike Mahoney and Mike Young, Castlemahon, who were prize winners, at The Flag Floor card game on Wednesday February 23rd. Card game each Wednesday at 9pm, and all are welcome.

Congratulations and best wishes for the future to the following people who recently celebrated their 21st birthdays, Micheál Lawlor, James Hunt, Carrigkerry, Kevin Crowley, Ardagh, Padraig and Mairéad Trant, Monemohill.

The second round of the Desmond Cup was the highlight of the soccer action on Sunday February 27th for the local teams. Kilcolman Rovers lost 5-0 away to high flying Abbeyfeale under lights on Saturday night. Old Mill and Breska Rovers drew 1-1 after extra time with Alan Doyle scoring. Old Mill advanced 4-3 on penalties. Carrig Celtic defeated Kildimo 3-0 at home with goals from Francis Moore, William McSweeney, and Mike D. O’Connor.

Carrig Celtic B had no match. Nice to see former Carrig Celtic player Declan Quaid doing very well for Adare United at present in the Premier Division of the Desmond League.

In ladies soccer Kilcolman Rovers defeated Broadford 5-0 at home to gain promotion to the Premier Division, for next season. Ide Trant, 2 Sineád Dundon, Linda Lodge and Stephanie Griffin scored the goals.

Johnny McCarthy from the Saint Kieran’s club had an outstanding game for Limerick footballers in their one point defeat to Offaly in the National football League game played in Newcastle West on Sunday February 27th. Jim Donovan was a non starter due to injury.

Donal Nolan scored a goal for Western Gaels after coming on as a substitute in their 4-19 to 1-6 loss to Emmets, in the Inter Divisional series played in Kilbreedy last Tuesday.

Emily Upton, Old Mill is a member of the Limerick U-14 Football panel at present contesting the Munster Championship which is played on a round robin basis. They play Tipperary, Clare and Waterford and we wish them well.

The excitement of the General Election has passed and the seats in the local constituencies have been decided and congratulations to the victors and commiserations to the defeated. It is interesting to see where all the local votes cast  went to.

In North Kerry/West Limerick Ardagh voted as follows: John Sheahan 291, Tom McEllistrim 108, Martin Ferris 65, Arthur Spring 54, Jimmy Deenihan 48. Others 23.Turnout 73 %.

Carrigkerry voted as follows: John Sheahan 247, Martin Ferris 79, Arthur Spring 69, Tom McEllistrim 49, Jimmy Deenihan 23, Others 8. Turnout 64.5 %.

In Limerick County Kilcolman voted as follows: Patrick O’Donovan 99, Niall Collins 59, Dan Neville 53, Con Cremin 34, James Heffernan 22, Others 9.

Coolcappa voted as follows: Patrick O’Donovan 232, Dan Neville 195, Niall Collins 89, James Heffernan 50, Con Cremin 18, Others 46.

We look forward to the new Government and better days ahead, we hope, for rural Ireland which has been ignored and near forgotten about for too long. We badly need a good  minister to bring confidence and enterprise to the Limerick area.

West Limerick Community Radio are holding a car boot sale and indoor market in Newcastle West Community Centre on Sunday March 20th from 9 am to 3 pm. All support will be much appreciated.

Carrigkerry / Old Mill Development Association will have a number of vacancies in their community  employment scheme in the near future. People interested in applying for a place  are asked to contact the supervisor or the office at Carrigkerry Community Centre. Phone 76667.

The price of crude oil continues to rise on a daily basis and the conflict in Libya is not helping and higher prices will be the result for us all. Thieves have taken advantage of this situation and home oil thefts have risen considerably in risen months. People and oil companies have been caught on the double in some cases with thieves striking twice within a short period of time. They steal the oil from the tank and re-order more oil getting the details of the company  from the sticker usually on the tank and come back again a few days later and steal the new supply. The homeowner may only find out when they get the bill for the oil they did not order in the first place. What a scam they operate and security locks seem to be no problem to the thieves.

The Irish Cancer Society is looking for volunteers, to collect for Daffodil Day on Friday, March 25th. With the increase in demand for their many services, volunteers are much sought after to help out the regulars, who do a wonderful job fundraising. The Daffodil Day team can be contacted on Callsave 1850 60 60 60. 

Pilates classes will commence shortly in Ardagh Hall and to book a place contact Nora on 087-1257039.

The Desmond Foxhounds will meet on this coming Sunday morning March 13th in Carnagh, Kilcolman,

The Ardagh/ Carrigkerry Parish Church Accounts for 2010 were made available to parishioners in recent weeks. The total expenditure over total income showed a net loss of near €14,000. The loss was mainly due to the work carried out at Saint Molua’s Church in Ardagh during 2010. The accounts remain in a healthy state overall but more work remains to be carried out to upgrade the parish properties in the near future.

The Friends of Lisnagry Limerick would like to thank all the people who supported their Church gate collection held in Ardagh and Carrigkerry on February 19th and 20th. Thanks also to  the people who took up the collection. The combined total collected was €670.

The Friends are very thankful to the people for their generosity at this time. 

Ardagh I.C.A. are holding a meeting in Ardagh Hall on this Thursday night March 10th at 8.30pm. James O’Connell will hold a demonstration on carbon monoxide detectors and the meeting is open to all to attend.

Limerick hurlers continued their good run in Division 2 of the National hurling league defeating Down to remain on top of the table. They seem to have left the difficulties of previous years behind them and hopefully they will enjoy a good year.

Munster had another win in the Magners League, to remain on top and they should get a home  semi final later in the season.

Last Sunday’s Mass in Saint Mary’s was an Anniversary Mass for deceased members of the Brouder family in Ballinabearna. The Church gate collection was in aid of the Labour Party.

Trocaire boxes were available for people to bring home and fill up. The Lenten Stations will be taken up at all Masses next weekend.

I will conclude with our thought.

“There are no shortcuts to any place worth going”